Tuesday, October 26, 2010

Chevrolet Equinox AMP, Ford Transit Connect EV, Smart EV

Chevrolet Volt and Nisan Leaf grabbed center stage at the ride-and-drive event that took place outside the Business of Plugging-In conference. But they weren’t the only vehicles to be sampled on the improvised half-mile cone-lined course on the banks of the Detroit River.

Chevrolet Equinox AMP:
The Equinox retains all of its practicality and employs a 37-kwh lithium-ion battery that is said to be good quality for 120 miles of real-world driving. Recharging takes for four hours with 220-volts. Two rear axle-mounted electric motors create power equivalent to 220 horse power and 236 ft.-lb. of instant torque. Acceleration from 0-60 mph is claimed to be less than 7 seconds
Chevrolet Equinox AMP
Ford Transit Connect EV:
The Connect makes a lot of intellect as an electric delivery van for fleets with an expected daily route. It is paying attention our interest at this event as a possible forerunner for the upcoming Focus EV due out in 2012. The Connect EV’s shell comes from Turkey, along with usual Connects, and then the electric drive train is installed in Michigan. The electric motor’s output is said to be the equivalent of 130 horsepower. Range is claimed to be 80 miles on a full charge, and charge times at 220 volts are said to take between 6 and 8 hours. Manufacture begins in April 2011 and the price is expected to be about 50,000 dollars.

Smart EV:
BMW is wrapping up its Mini E consumer field test and getting ready to start leasing the BMW 1 ActiveE next summer, rival Daimler is just gearing up its electric-car program spearheaded by the Smart. The Smart on hand was a phase two, out of three, product, which means it’s essentially a pre-production unit. Smart intends to lease these tiny boxes for $599 a month starting in 2012. It’s intended to be a purely urban runabout that’s good for an 80-mile range from its 16.5-kwh lithium-ion battery. Using 220 volts, the Smart can recharge in 3.5 hours if the battery is between 20- and 80-percent full.